Texans safety Ed Reed speaks to his teammates before playing the Ravens.

Texans safety Ed Reed speaks to his teammates before playing the Ravens.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans safety Ed Reed greets the crowd in Baltimore.

Texans safety Ed Reed greets the crowd in Baltimore.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans safety Ed Reed introduced before playing the Ravens.

Texans safety Ed Reed introduced before playing the Ravens.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco warms up before facing the Texans.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco warms up before facing the Texans.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans quarterback Matt Schaub warms up before facing the Ravens.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub warms up before facing the Ravens.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans tight end Garrett Graham greets fans in Baltimore.

Texans tight end Garrett Graham greets fans in Baltimore.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans fan A.J. Hicks shows off team colors in Baltimore.

Texans fan A.J. Hicks shows off team colors in Baltimore.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans fans show their support in Baltimore.

Texans fans show their support in Baltimore.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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McClain: Defending Super Bowl champs deliver wake-up call to Texans

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BALTIMORE – Just how pathetic was the Texans’ offense at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday? The Texans failed to score a touchdown against a Baltimore defense that was torched for seven scoring passes by Denver quarterback Peyton Manning.

The Texans were limited to three Randy Bullock field goals in a humiliating 30-9 defeat that left them 2-1 and tied with Tennessee and Indianapolis for first place in the AFC South.

If the Texans’ offense is this hapless against the Ravens, imagine how helpless it might be against a Seattle defense that specializes in pulverizing opponents and just might be the NFL’s best.

“This better be a wake-up call because we can’t keep playing like this,” inside linebacker Brian Cushing said. “We keep digging holes, and good teams like the Ravens make you pay for that. We’ve got to get going from the beginning.”

It would be unfair to blame all of this lopsided loss on the offense because the defense and special teams contributed in embarrassing fashion. All three units surrendered touchdowns.

And they all committed penalties. In the first two games, victories over San Diego and Tennessee, the Texans were called for 12 penalties. Against the Ravens, they were flagged 14 times for 113 yards.

“The biggest disappointment was discipline, and that’s my responsibility,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “Concentration-wise, you’ve got to be able to handle those things. There’s no way you’re going to win on the road with 14 penalties.”

The Texans allowed 236 yards, but they generated only 264. The defense allowed one touchdown – the same as the offense.

This game was decided on big plays. The Ravens made them. The Texans didn’t.

For the second consecutive game, Matt Schaub threw a horrible pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. This time, it was linebacker Daryl Smith stepping in front of tight end Owen Daniels and going the distance.

Then the punt coverage team got into this bad act. Shane Lechler’s 58-yard punt was returned 82 yards for a touchdown by Tandon Doss, who did his Jacoby Jones impersonation to give Baltimore a 17-6 lead in the second quarter.

“That’s a 14-point swing, the big momentum swing in the game,” Kubiak said. “We battled back to get a field goal, but in the second half, they just outplayed us.”

Bullock’s 47-yard field goal at the end of the first half pulled the Texans within 17-9 and created some hope for the visitors.

Wade Phillips’ defense allowed only one touchdown, but it couldn’t have come at a worst time – the opening drive of the second half when the Texans were desperate for another three-and-out.

Instead, the Ravens went 80 yards in nine plays and received some generosity from the Texans.

On third-and-17, cornerback Johnathan Joseph allowed Torrey Smith to catch a 48-yard pass. Later on the drive, cornerback Kareem Jackson was called for pass interference in the end zone, setting up Bernard Pierce’s 1-yard touchdown that boosted the lead to 24-9.

“For the most part, we played a great game defensively, but there were a few plays we’d like to have back,” Joseph said. “We can’t let the small things take away from what we’re trying to accomplish – getting off the field on third down, not communicating, having a mishap in coverage.”

For the rest of the game, Baltimore managed only two Justin Tucker field goals, but it didn’t matter because the Ravens’ defense was dominating the Texans’ offense.

“I feel very frustrated,” defensive end J.J. Watt said. “We didn’t play well. We need to start taking the ball away. We have to force turnovers.”

Not only are the Texans desperate to force turnovers, but if the offense continues to struggle, the defense better start scoring some touchdowns, too.

If the Texans don’t get this performance out of their system, the next game against Seattle could get uglier.